Archive for: February 19th, 2018

As they move toward their respective one-year anniversaries, a Valentine’s Day view of Front Royal’s dueling demonstrations for and against the Trump presidency. Photos/Roger Bianchini

FRONT ROYAL – On February 14, 2018, with temperatures climbing into the 50’s at least one person identified as a faith-based supporter returned to join Ralph and Michael Waller on the Trump side of Chester Street in Historic Downtown Front Royal. The occasion, other than an expression of Valentine’s Day love for the president, was Front Royal’s dueling weekly perspectives on exactly what the Trump presidency means for the nation.

To bolster the pro-Trump contingent, flat-Trump, a life-size cardboard cutout of the president, also returned in the company of his faith-based handler. As for signs indicating issues on the pro-Trump side in mid-February the Waller’s held several featuring immigration concerns, fears of social engineering and Trump’s Electoral College victory.

As they move toward their respective one-year anniversaries, a Valentine’s Day view of Front Royal’s dueling demonstrations for and against the Trump presidency. Photos/Roger Bianchini

Across the Chester Street political divide about a dozen anti-Trump Vigil for Democracy participants also displayed signs about immigration and the 2016 presidential election result, albeit from different perspectives – pro-immigration and DACA, and the fact Trump lost the popular election by about 3-million votes. Other prominent issues included Trump and Congressional Republican efforts to cut Medicaid and Medicare benefits; what the president may have known and when about Russian efforts to assure his election and Hillary Clinton’s defeat in 2016.

Above, the Valentine’s Day Vigil for Democracy crowd refocuses on issues of health care, immigration law and Russian election interference on behalf of Republican nominee Donald Trump; below, the Trump side works foot traffic on their side of the street.

Related to the latter, was Vigil organizer Len Sherp’s sign questioning whether Trump’s clearly pro-Russian, pro-Vladimir Putin public stances on economic sanctions and election interference may indicate that the president himself is a national security risk. – And those questions were posed two days before Special Prosecutor Robert Mueller handed down indictments against 13 Russian people and 3 Russian “entities”, most prominently among the latter the so-called “Internet Research Agency”, regarding direct pro-Republican, anti-Clinton meddling in the 2016 presidential election campaign.

Those special prosecutor indictments led Trump’s own National Security Advisor Lt. General H.R. McMaster to state there was now “incontrovertible evidence” of Russian interference in America’s electoral processes leading up to the 2016 election. Perhaps ironically, McMaster replaced Trump’s first national security advisor, Michael Flynn. Flynn has been indicted by the special prosecutor and pled guilty to lying to the FBI about his Russian contacts. Flynn remains at the point of Special Prosecutor Mueller’s Russian meddling investigation.

Above and below, Rhea Howarth turns faith-based support of Trump on immigration around while others, including vigil founder Len Sherp below, question implications of Vladimir Putin’s preference for a Trump presidency and Trump’s stated preference for Putin’s word over the U.S. intelligence community’s assessment about Russian election interference.

Some on the vigil side noted that Flynn was so highly thought of by Trump that prior to being fired as FBI director James Comey said the president suggested any FBI investigation into Flynn’s Russian contacts be dropped.

However, on the Trump side of the street such details are taken in stride, dismissed as irrelevant or part of a sour-grapes effort to discredit the president and his administration.

Listen this week as every athlete on the Freedom team gives a recap of a tough loss they experienced, the lessons learned and how they plan on moving forward. They speak honest and from the heart, no excuses.

Background:
We have a cheer gym here in Front Royal that is doing some amazing things. Each week Jenspiration goes out to film the cheer squad, Freedom, in action during practice. The videos are authentic and show real situations the team experience. They do not always agree but work together to resolve disagreements. The athletes know, working “together” they can accomplish anything! Divided they are limited….

All Star Legacy Front Royal is a positive program for our children to experience tumbling and cheer at all ages and levels. Watch the real stories of Freedom Unmasked on the Royal Examiner!

“FREEDOM” isn’t FREE, it’s paid for by many. – a reminder from Coach Rogers
#positiveathletes
Created by Jenspiration, LLC

On February 14th, 17 lives were tragically taken in a shooting at a high school in Florida. Several others were injured. The events that unfolded there are absolutely devastating. Our hearts and prayers as a nation are with the students, teachers, staff, and their family members as well as the entire Parkland community during this very difficult time. Students should feel safe in their schools, and our country must continue working to deter gun violence by helping those suffering from mental illness, ensuring that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) database has all relevant information, and enforcing our nation’s gun laws.

In the wake of this tragic shooting, authorities have sifted through the past of the shooter, Nikolas Cruz, to determine whether there were warning signs that he was capable of such monstrous actions. There were. On Friday, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy and I sent a letter to FBI Director Christopher Wray requesting a briefing on why FBI protocols were not followed regarding tips the agency received on Cruz. We are seeking to understand these protocols and know why they were not followed in this case.

Stopping by Page One in Luray

On Tuesday, I had the chance to visit Page One in Luray. Page One runs a thrift shop and food pantry, which serves many families in Page County. They are staffed by a dedicated group and have partnered with several organizations in the community. Recently, Page One purchased a new building so that they could continue growing their good work. This is a great example of a community working together to help meet its own needs. Thanks to Connie and Lois for the tour!

Protecting Athletes from Abuse

With the Olympics underway, I’m sure many of you have marveled at the skill and talent of America’s athletes. It’s truly remarkable! At the same time, many of you have likely followed the disturbing stories of abuse in the USA Gymnastics organization by Dr. Larry Nassar. The sentencing of Dr. Nassar highlights the need for serious reforms to protect young athletes and hold predators accountable.

Recently, the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act was passed by Congress, and last week it was signed into law by President Trump. This bill mandates that amateur athletics governing bodies immediately report allegations of abuse, including sexual abuse, to law enforcement. It also establishes best practices for preventing abuse and provides governing bodies with guidelines about reporting abuse. These changes respond to the needs of victims and will make amateur athletics safer for future Olympians. I was proud to support this bill and help work to see it signed into law.

The Next Generation of America’s Leaders

Recently, I announced my nomination of several young men and women from the Sixth District to compete for an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or U.S. Naval Academy. America’s military has produced some of our country’s most distinguished leaders. These individuals have expressed an interest in following in their footsteps, and I applaud them for their willingness to protect and defend the United States.

At our nation’s service academies, students have the opportunity to receive a quality education and training to become the next generation of leaders. I am confident that those selected for an appointment will serve the United States with distinction. For a full list of the nominees, please visit Goodlatte.House.Gov.

• What is the Securing America’s Future Act? Click here to learn more about my bill that closes many gaping loopholes in our existing immigration enforcement laws, makes important reforms to our legal immigration programs, secures the border, and provides a legislative solution for the current beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

As co-chair of the Congressional Independent Colleges Caucus, I enjoyed welcoming several representatives from independent colleges and universities in the Sixth District to D.C. earlier this month. Pictured here is Dr. NL Bishop, President of Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke, and his wife, Sylvia. I am fortunate to represent so many excellent schools in the Sixth District.

The super vitamin B12 is a multitasker. It helps regulate how you feel, how well you think, and even appetite.

Vitamin B12 is known to help the brain produce chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine, which regulate mood and anxiety.

When people don’t have enough B12 they experience symptoms such as fatigue, mouth or tongue soreness, constipation and a loss of appetite. They may be confused, have poor memory or feel depressed.

Although certain cereals and breads are often fortified with B12, animal proteins are really the only natural sources. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 2.4 mcg of B12 daily from three ounces of beef or three cups of milk. Foods rich in B12 include liver, meat, eggs, poultry, shellfish, milk and milk products such as cheese and yogurt.

The stomach acid needed to absorb B12 declines with age, disease and behavior. Heavy drinking and even potassium supplements block absorption. So can heavy use of antacids. Diseases such as celiac and Crohn’s may render people unable to absorb adequate amounts of B12 from food.